NEWS BRIEFS

PROPERTY TAX DEADLINE – The Chesaning Township board has voted to extend the 2017 property tax due date to Wednesday, Feb. 28. There will be no interest or penalty charged on winter taxes paid before March 1. Summer bills paid in February will incur six percent interest. Beginning March 1, all delinquent summer and winter taxes will be payable to the Saginaw County treasurer at the Saginaw County Courthouse, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Saginaw. Chesaning Township regular office hours are Monday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Wednesday and Thursday. However, the office will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28.

CHESANING DADDY-DAUGHTER DANCE – The Chesaning High School National Honor Society will hold its annual daddy-daughter dance “Hooray for Hollywood” on Friday, Feb. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the middle school cafeteria and gym. The cost is $20 per couple, $10 for each additional girl. All kindergarten through fourth-grade girls are encouraged to come, accompanied by an adult male. This will be a semi-formal dance (no jeans). Corsages, photos and refreshments will be free. Door prizes will be given away throughout the dance. Forms are available at Big Rock Elementary, Zion Lutheran and Christ Lutheran Schools. The registration deadline is Monday, Feb. 5 to guarantee reservations.

MOOLENAAR ANNOUNCES OFFICE HOURS – Congressman John Moolenaar (R-Midland) has announced office hours to be held by constituent relations representatives at locations throughout the Fourth District. The purpose of the office hours is to help residents in need of assistance with a federal agency, including the Internal Revenue Service and Veterans Affairs. On Thursday, Feb. 15, representatives will be at the Surbeck Administration Building, third-floor conference room, 201 N. Shiawassee St., Corunna, from 10 to 11 a.m., and at the Thomas Township Library, 8207 Shields Dr., Saginaw, form 4 to 5 p.m.

REP. FREDERICK ANNOUNCES OFFICE HOURS – State Rep. Ben Frederkick (R-Owosso) has set in-district office hours for Monday, Feb. 12, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Raucholz Memorial Library, 1140 N. Hemlock Road in Hemlock, and from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Corunna District Library, 210 E. Corunna Ave. in Corunna. No appointments are necessary. Anyone unable to meet during the schedule times may contact Rep. Frederick’s office at (517) 373- 0841 or via email at BenFrederick@house. mi.gov.

TOO CLOSE – During the Tuesday, Feb. 6 meeting of the Chesaning Village Council, James Walser, who owns property at 620 Lansing St., challenged the 1,000-foot distance to-schools requirement for medical marijuana facilities village ordinance since it doesn’t specify “as the crow flies.” He explained that a railroad track and a six-foot fence are between his property and the schools. He believes it is a sufficient buffer since students wouldn’t legally be able to walk directly from one to the other. If the village measured the distance by the sidewalk, he would be more than the required 1,000 feet away from the schools. Walser has a potential buyer for his property, who wants to establish a small medical marijuana research facility to test different strains of marijuana. The village council stood firm that “as the crow flies” is the standard interpretation. Councilman Trent Vondrasek explained that those barriers, the railroad tracks and the fence, could be removed, but “as the crow flies” doesn’t change.

KIWANIS EVENTS – Former Parks and Recreation committee members Kyle Byron, Zach Chludil, Michelle Neumann and Andrew Hasse attended the Feb. 6 Chesaning Village Council meeting representing the Chesaning Kiwanis Club. They requested use of Showboat Park for the fourth annual Kids Sucker Fishing Tournament on April 21, burning the weeds along the riverbank in mid-March, the Kiwanis Kids 5K Run and Walk on July 15 and Halloween Camping (to be announced). Byron said all three have been very positive events in the community. The village council approved.

FORMS AVAILABLE FOR 2018 BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL – Applications for many aspects of the 2018 Montrose Blueberry Festival are now available online at montroseblueberryfestival.net (under Applications). Available information/applications for the 47th annual event, set to run in Aug 17 – 19 include the Super Parade, Crafts and Home Show, Baby and Kids Contest, men and women’s co-ed softball tournament, 17th Annual Karaoke Contest, 16th Annual Blueberry Renaissance Faire, flea market, ninth Annual Golf Scramble - scheduled for Saturday, July 21, and the 10th Annual Blueberry Festival “Kick-Off” Car Show on Sunday, Aug. 12.

STC TWP EXTENDS TAX DEADLINE/ HOSTS ROADS WORKSHOP – The St. Charles Township is offering an extension for payment on 2017 taxes. The last day to pay without penalty is Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 5 p.m. – taxes cannot be accepted after this date. The township will also host a roads workshop on Monday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the township hall to discuss possible upcoming road projects. The meeting, held at 1003 N. Saginaw St. in Charles, will take place before the regular monthly board meeting.